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Niemi: Enckelman dismissal was an error

By Philip Seery

ANTTI NIEMI has leapt to the defence of compatriot Peter Enckelman following the Finn's controversial dismissal in Aston Villa's 1-0 reverse against Southampton.

Man-of-the-Match Niemi watched the sending off from his Saints goal and claimed referee Steve Bennett made a grave mistake.

"The referee made a mistake. It was obviously the defender's fault and the defender (Alpay)&nbsp;should have been punished," declared Niemi.

"It was very hard on Peter. I feel for him."

Turkish international Alpay did appear to be the villain tugging Brett Ormerod's shirt and bundling him to the ground but match&nbsp;official Bennett defended his decision to brandish a red card to Enckelman.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

"This wasn't a case of mistaken identity. Although I can understand how some people thought it was," said&nbsp;Bennett.

"I understand that Alpay also had a tug, but I didn't see that.

"I can only act on what I saw and I sent off the goalkeeper for holding and pulling back (Brett) Ormerod."

Under-fire boss Graham Taylor&nbsp;revealed the club would not appeal against the ban, adding:&nbsp;"There is no point us wasting our time. Peter will miss the game against Fulham on November 9."